ERIC Number: EJ1136812
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Jan
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1931-4744
EISSN: N/A
Full-Cycle Assessment of Critical Thinking in an Ethics and Science Course
Blue, Jennifer; Taylor, Beverley; Yarrison-Rice, Jan
International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, v2 n1 Article 10 Jan 2008
Enhancing critical thinking skills for undergraduate students is important across the curriculum and between disciplines. We report on a method of improving critical thinking skills, which was studied through an Ethics and Science First-Year Seminar course. We used full cycle assessment over a three-year period to assess students' development and to modify the course teaching and assignments with the goal of increasing student development of critical thinking skills. Data were obtained from student writing throughout the semester during each offering. Modest, but significant, overall gains of ~0.7 on a 4 point scale are reported between early and midterm assignments in the course using a seven trait assessment rubric. Key factors that contribute to the increase in critical thinking skills are identified including peer review, scaffolded assignments, and the use of a grading rubric for each assignment.
Descriptors: Critical Thinking, Ethics, Science Instruction, Thinking Skills, Peer Evaluation, Scoring Rubrics, Assignments, Writing (Composition), Scaffolding (Teaching Technique), Student Development, Scores, First Year Seminars, Statistical Analysis, Teaching Methods, Undergraduate Students
Centers for Teaching & Technology at Georgia Southern University. IJ-SoTL, Georgia Southern University, Henderson Library 1301, Statesboro, GA 30460. e-mail: sotlij@georgiasouthern.edu; Web site: http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ij-sotl/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ohio
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A